Croatian helicopters in Nordic Battle Group
Following the intention to further contribute to the process of Croatian involvement in the European Union in the field of security and defence, the Croatian delegation led by State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Pjer Simunovic participated on Friday, December 17, at a meeting in the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Sweden, during which the Croatian and Swedish sides signed a technical agreement governing the Croatian helicopter contribution to the Nordic Battle Group. Nordic Battle Group led by the Kingdom of Sweden, under the concept of EU Battle Groups will be on standby in the first half of 2011.
Croatian contribution to this battle group includes the provision of two medium transport helicopters, including medical evacuation capability. During November 2010 the Croatian Armed Forces, in preparation for the contribution to the Nordic Battle Group, has participated in “Joint Action” final joint military exercise. By its contribution to the Nordic Battle Group, the Republic of Croatia confirmed its active involvement and contribution to the affirmation of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union, and provided a concrete contribution to building the capacity of the European Union for crisis management.
Also, during the visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, MOD State Secretary Simunovic held a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State in the Swedish Ministry of Defence Håkan Jevrell. During the meeting the two secretaries talked about the Croatian contribution to the Nordic Battle Group and the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union. State secretaries Jevrell and Simunovic discussed the situation in Afghanistan, particularly further development of the ISAF operation after the NATO Summit in Lisbon in the context of the transfer of responsibility for the security situation in the country on the Afghan leadership. At the end of the meeting they discussed the situation in Southeast Europe.